Switch mechanism



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SWITCH MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED sEPL. 1916.

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SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPLS, IsIs.

1 ,358,754. n Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

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R. T. KINTZING.

SWITCH MECHANISMJ APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 1916.

1,358,754. Patented NOV. Mi, 1920.

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ATTORNEY R. T.v KINTZING.

SWITCH MECHANISM:

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5, I9I6. 1,358,754. Patented Nov. 16, i920.

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(JNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

REESE T. KINTZING, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPQRATION OF PENN- SYLVAN IA.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1c, 1920.

`Application led September 5, 1916. Serial No. 118,365.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, REESE T. KINTZING, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of VVilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switch Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

Y y invention relates to switch mechanisms and it has particular relation to such mechanisms as embody main switches and auxiliary switches or relays that are mechanically interlocked with the main switches.

My invention has for its object to provide a device of the character indicated above in which a unitary mechanism operates to control a main circuit and to control an auxiliary circuit in accordance with conditions obtaining in the'main circuit. y

In the operation of electric motors that are supplied with currents at relatively high voltages, in connection with machines where frequent reversals are necessary, it may occur that the switches for controlling the direction of rotation of the motors may be operated while the motor currents have considerable values. The opening of the circuit of a motor under such conditions tends to produce arcs at the switch contact members,

and the motor. may be reversed while the current traversing such arcs is suliciently heavy to cause short-circuit conditions.

In a `patent to Walter O. Lum, No. 1,227 ,810, for an improvement in motor-control systems, granted May 29, 1917, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, means are provided for preventing, the reversal of an electric motor while the current traversing itsy circuit exceeds a predetermined value. Means are provided also for preventing the operation of one set of reversing 'switches while another set of reversing switches is in operative position. In the arrangement referred to above, it is necessary to employ a.

. main switch, a relay mechanically 4interlocked with the main switch and, in addition, a current-limit relay for opening a control circuit when the "current traversing the main switch exceeds a predetermined value.

According to the present invention, I provide an arrangement in which a unitary mechanism operates to perform all of the functions of the several devices above described. A relay is mechanically interlocked with a main switch in such manner that the closing and opening of the main switch operates to respectively open and close the relay. lVhile the position of the relay is controlled in accordance with the position of the main switch, its actuation is effected by two springs, one of which is stronger than the other.

I/Vhen the main switch closes, the .stronger spring is compressed and the.v weaker spring is permitted to effect the opening of the relay. When thev main switch opens, the stronger spring effects the compression of the weaker spring and the relay is closed b v force of gravity. An electro-magnet having a coil in series with the main switch operates to retain the relay inits open position if the current traversing the main .switch exceeds a predetermined value. This action occurs whether the contact members of the main switch are in engagement or an arc traverses the air gap between them.

My vinvention will be described in connection with tlie' accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of a relay and a portion of the controlling mechanism therefor. Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, but taken at right angles thereto. Fig. 3 is view, in section, of the relay mechanism. Fig. 4 is a view,v in elevation, of the main switch and a portion of the means for mechanically connecting it to the relay. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of electrical circuits for controlling a plurality of switch mechanisms constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the main circuits of an electric motor which are adapted to be controlled b v the switch mechanisms shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a schematic arrangement of tlre circuits and apparatus of Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, a main switch 1, which is mounted on a supporting base 2. of marble or other suitable insulating material, comprises a stationary portion 3 and a movable portion 4. The movable portion 4 is provided with a projecting member 5, for a purpose to be late` described. An auxiliary switch or relay 6, which is mounted upon the other side of the base member 2, comprises a pair of stationary contact members 7 and abridging member 8. The bridging member 8 is secured to a longitudinally-movable rod 9 which extends through the base 2.

The projecting member is operatively connected to the rod 9 of the relay 6 by a train of mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted lever 10, a hollow cylinder 11 which is adjacent to one end of the lever 10, a vertically extending rod 12 that is connected to the cylinder 11, a bell-crank lever 13 and a yoke 14 that is connected to one end of the rod 9. The yoke member 14 has a lostmotion connection to one arm of the bellcrank lever 13.

The rod 12 is connected to the cylinder' 11 for upward movement therewith by a collar member 15 and a pair of pins 16 which engage the lower end of the collar member 1.5. Only one of the pins 16 appears in Fig. 2, which is a sectional view. A spring 17, which is located between a stationary member 18 and a loosely mounted collar member 19, tends to actuate the rod 12 and its connected mechanism to effect the opening of the relay 6. Y

A spring 20, which engages one end of the lever 10, tends to actuate the latter to engage the cylinder 11 and thereby compress the spring 17. The relay 6 is then closed by torce of gravity, the horizontally-extending arm of the bell-crank lever 13 constituting a weight for effecting this result. The spring 2() is stronger than the spring 17 and, when the to mer is notI compressed by reason of the position of the projection 5 of the main switch, the lever 10 is caused to compress the spring 17 and thereby effect the closing of the relay 6.

The relay 6 is controlled also by an electromagnet comprising a stationary maglietizable member 21 having an adjustable portion 22 that is surrounded by a series magnetizing coil 23. The horizontally-extending arm 24, of the bell-crank -lever 13 constitutes an armature member ot the electromagnet. When the coil 23 is energized, the

arm 2-l is retained in its uppermost position, and the closing of the relay 6 is prevented, regardless of the posit-ion of the main switch.

lVhen the main switch 1, which is ot the electro-r.agnetically operable type, is in its open position, the projection 5 occupies a position indicated by dotted lines (Fig. 4). In this position o't the projection 5, the spring 2O is permitted to actuate the lever 10 to compress the spring 17. The bell-crank lever 13 then loperates, by force of gravity, to effect the closing orn the relay 6.

When the main switch is closed, the several parts occupy their respective positions (Fig. IThe projection 5 engages the lever 10 and the latter is actuated to compress the spring 20. The spring 17 is thus permitted to actuate the rod 12 and the bell-crank lever 13 to eilect the opening of the relay 6.

llVhen the main switch is opened after it has operated to complete a circuit, an arc lmay occur between the contact members,

since the switch is adapted tor use in connection with circuits of relatively high voltages. Since the coil 23 is in series with the contact members of the main switch, it is energized in accordance with the current traversing such arc. It the coil 23 is energized above a predetermined degree, the armature member 24: is retained in its illustrated position (Fig. 1) to prevent the closing ot the relay 6. `'While the spring 17 is compressed by the force of the spring 20 when the main switch l is open, the rod 12 may remain in its uppermost position because the cylinder 11, pins 16 and collar 19 are movable relatively to the rod 12 and lthe collar member 15.

lVhen the current traversing the arc at the main switch and the coil 23 falls to a predetermined value, either through the extinguishing of the arcor for any other reason, the armature 24 is released, and the closing of the relay is eiiected by forceot gravity, as described above. The predetermined value of the current traversing the coil 23, at which the closing of the relay is prevented, may be varied by adjusting the position of the portion 22.

It will be noted that I provide a switch mechanism which is so arranged that the opening and closing ot' a main switch operates to effect the closing and opening, respectively, of an auxiliary switch or relay. The closing of the relay is prevented, however, upon the occurrence of an arc between the contact members of the m'ain switch when the latter is opened. The actuation of the relay .to its closed position is elected by a spring that opposes the torce ot a relatively weaker spring which tends to maintain the relay in its open position.

eterence may now be had to Figs. 5, 6 and 7'1in which are illustrated circuits and apparatus embodying my invention. A plurality ot switch mechanisms, such as are shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 and are described above, are diagrammatically illustrated in connection with the circuits ot an induction motor.

Line conductors 26, 27 and 2S, which may be connected to any suitable source ot alternating current, supply energy to an induction motor having primary windings 2l). T he line connections to the motor are controlled by double-pole electromagnetic switches 13, 1'D and lC that are respectively provided with actuating coils 33, 34 rnd The switches 1tL and 1b are mechanically connected to relays 6a and 6*?, respectively. Relays 6a and 6b are respectively provided with actuating coils 23a and 23" that are in series with one pairof contact members of the corresponding anain switches.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, the circuits of the actuating coils 33, 34 and 35 are controlled by a master switch 41. lThe master switch has two positions, in one of which the coils 33 and 35' are energized to effect the completion of the circuits of the primary winding 29 for the operation of the motor in one direction. In the lother position of the master switch 41, the coils 34 and 35 are energized to effect the closing of switches lb and 1-c for the operation of the motor in the reverse direction.l

It may be assumed that the master switch has been actuated to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5, to effect the closing of switches l and l. for the operation of the motor in the forward direction. Vhen it is desired to reverse the motor, the switch 41 is actuated to the left to denergize the actuating coils 33 and 35 and thereby open the circuits of the primary winding. Should the master switch be actuated directly from one operative position to the other, the circuits of actuating coils 34- and 35 would be energized to effect` the closing of the switches 1* and 1c for operation of the motor in the reverse direction.

If, however, an arc occurs upon the opening of switch l", and the coil 23a of relay 6a is traversed by current of a predetermined value, the relay 6a will be retained in its open position, regardless of the position of the main switch. The circuit of the actuating coil 34 of switch lb cannot, therefore, be completed until the current traversing the switch previously opened has fallen below the predetermined value. The

relay Gb andits actuating coil 23b operateA in the same manner to prevent the energizing of actuating coil 33 of switch 1a and thus prevent the completion of the motor circuits for operation in the" forward direction until the current traversing the contact members of the main switch lb has fallen to a predetermined value.

It will be noted that, by means of the arrangement above described, !it is impossible to reversethe connections of an induction motor while the current traversing the previously-opened switches is of such value that damage to the motor may occur upon the completion of the circuits for operation in the reverse direction.

It will be noted further that the relays are mechanically interlocked to the corresponding main switches in such manner that. when one set of switches is in operative position, it is impossible to close the other set of switches because the circuit of the actuating coil of the latter is opened by the relay connected to the switch that is closed. The unitary mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention thus provides an electrical interlock between a plurality of reversing switches.

llVhile I have shown and described my invention as applied to alternating-current circuits, it is understood that it may be of equal utility in performing similar functions in connection with direct-current circuits.

I claim as my invention:

l. The combination with a plurality of switches and a relay for one of said switches, of means for operatively connecting said relay to another of said switches, said means comprising a member connected to the mov able member of said other switch and a coacting lever connected to said relay.

2. The combination with a main switch and an auxiliary switch, of means for operatively connecting them, said means compris- -ing a member connected to the movable member of said main switch, a coacting lever, and a second lever having a lost-1 motion connection to said auxiliary switch` said last-namedlever constituting a weight for causing the closing of said auxiliary switch.

. 3. The combination with a main switch and an auxiliary switch adapted to be actuated by the force of gravity, of means for preventing said actuation, and means for operatively connecting said switches, said last-named means comprising a member connected to the movable member of said main switch and a coacting lever that is opera-v tively connected to said auxiliary switch to release said preventing means.

4. The combination with a plurality of switches and a relay for one of said switches, of means for operatively connecting said relay to another of said switches, said means comprising a member connected to said relay, a lever coacting with saidimember, said lever being controlled by the movable porytion of said other switch, and resilient means ion for controlling the position of said member in accordance with the position of said other switch.

5. The combination with a plurality of switches and a relay for one of said switches mechanically connected to another of said switches, of opposing resilient means for controlling the position ot said relay in accordance with the position of said other switch.

6. T he, combination with a switch and a relay, of means for permitting said relay to close by gravity when said switch is open,

and means for delaying said closing under predetermined conditions.

. 7. The combinationv with a switch and a relay, of means for maintainingsaidrelay in one position when said switch is closed',l means for releasing said retaining meansy when said switch is open, and means for retaining said relay in said position under predetermined conditions. I

8. The combination with a plurality of switches and a relay for one of them, of means for operatively connecting said relay to another of said switches and for actuating the relay toits open and closed positions when said other switch is actuated to its closed and open positions, respectively.

9. rl`he combination with a switch and a relay, of means for operatively connecting them and for actuating the relay to its open and closed positions when the switch is actuated to its closed and open positions, respectively, and electro-responsive means for opposing the closing of said relay under predetermined conditions.

10. The combination with a switch and a relay, of means for operatively connecting them and for actuating the relay to its open and closed positions when the switch is actuated to its closed and open positions, respectively, and electromagnetic means comprising a coil in series with said switch for opposing the closing ot said relay.

11. rl`he combination with a pair of switches, of means for operatively connecting them and for controlling the position of one of said switches in accordance with the position of the other switch, said means comprising a spring for opening said one switch and a stronger spring for effecting the closing of said one switch, and means for rendering said controlling means inoperative under predetermined conditions.

12. The combination with a. pair of switches, of a. spring tending to open one of said switches, a pivoted lever, a stronger spring ,tending to effect the closing of said switch and means connected vto the other switch for engaging said lever` for controlling said stronger spring.

13. rlhe combination with a pair of switches,- oi' a spring tending to open one of said switches, a relatively stronger spring tending to eifect the closing of said switch, means connected to the other switch for controlling said stronger spring, and electroresponsive means for controlling said one switch independently of the operation of said s rings.

14. he combination with a lpair of switches, of means for operatively connecting them comprising a member connected to one of said switches,a pivoted lever coacting with said member, a link operatively connected to the other switch, and resilient means for engaging said lever on opposite sides of said pivot.

15. The combination with a pair of switches, of a plurality of means unconnected to one ot' said switches torinoving said other switch, means permitting one ot said plurality of means to move said other switch in one direction when said first switch is closed, means permitting another of said plurality of means to move said other switch in another direction when said first switch is open, and means for delaying the motion of said other switch in said lastnamed direction under predetermined conditions.

16. The combination with a pair of switches, of an element connected to the movable portion of one of said switches, an electromagnet having an armature member operatively connected to the movable portion of the other switch, means comprising a link for operatively connecting said element to said armature member, and means for yieldingly retaining said link in such position as to effect the closing of said other switch.

17. The combination with a main switch andan auxiliary switch adapted to be actuated by the force of gravity, of resilient means for normally permitting said relay to assume said gravity-actuated position, and means controlled by the position of said main switch for releasing said resilient means.

18. The combination with a main switch and an auxiliary switch, of a member connected to the movable member of said main switch, a lever coacting with said firstnamed member, a rod having a lost-motion connection to said lever, and a bell-crank lever cont-rolled by said rod, there being a lost-motion connection between said lastnamed lever and saidauxiliary switch.

19. The combination with a pair of switches, of ay member connected to the movable member of one of said switches, a lever coacting with said first-named member', a spring tending to move said lever in opposition to the action of said first-named member, a cylinder engaged by said lever, a rod having a lost-motion connection to said cyl'- inder, a spring for actuating said rod in opposition tothe action of said first spring and weaker than said first spring, and a lever actuated by said rod, said last-named lever having a lost-motion connection to said other switch.

20. In combination, a switch member, a rod connected thereto, a spring surrounding said rod at one end, a cylinder slidably surrounding said spring and having a lostmotion connection to said rod, a pivoted lever, and a spring engaging said lever to oppose the action ot' said first spring.

21. The combination with a switch adapted to be actuated by the force of gravity, of a plurality of springs for controlling the actuation of said switch, means for rendering one of said springs inoperative to permit said switch to be actuated by the force ot' gravity, and means for rendering another of said springs inoperative to permit said first sprin to actuate said switch in opposition to t e force of gravity.

22. The combination with an electric circuit and a pair of electromagnetic reversing switches therefor, of a relay for each switchv in circuit with thel electromagnet coil of the other switch, means for opening each of said relays when the corresponding switch is closed, means for closing each of said relays when the corresponding switch is open, and means for controlling said closing in accordance with the current in said circuit.

23. The combination with a pair of in its open current above a means comprising a position and is traversed by predetermined value,` said single relay connected 20 to each of said switches for controlling the actuating coil of the switch with which it is not connected.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed m 1916.

y name this 29th day of August, 25

REESE T. KIN TZING. 

